The video game industry has come leaps and bounds over the last couple of decades both with consoles and games. It's pretty hard to imagine that no so long ago the pinnacle of gaming greatness was two sticks and a dot. Some say that we are entering the second golden age of gaming, a time where games play a large role in pop culture and modern society. Interest in video games have broadened with the release of the DS and Wii, proving that games aren't only for fat guys, they are for fat girls too. Now, the news is full of articles hot off the gaming press. World of Warcraft and Second Life have created internet sensations, millions of different people, not just gamers, just having a great time playing games. There are more games magazines now than there ever were before, and since the rise of the all powerful internet websites and blogs have popped up absolutely everywhere dedicated to the wonderfulness that is gaming.

I think we have entered that next golden age of gaming...and it feel so good. More gamers are being invented because of the Wii, meaning more people to play with. I find it incredibly hot when my girlfriend actually asks for some multiplayer DSage. Don't get me wrong, I'm not just targetting women, I know there are tonnes and tonnes of core lady gamers out there, and we love them. Oh yes we do. I do admit though, it is a bit weird seeing the people of chronoligical adeptness (old people) playing Wii Sports, I get scared they'll break themselves. But it's great that gaming is becoming more of a socially acceptable thing.

Gone are the days when we would be shunned, cast away to our rooms, our eyes averted from the beckoning daylight. We are no longer fat, massive glasses wearing, pocket pouch nerds. We're pretty damn cool. We are a great big brotherhood (and sisterhood) of gamers, taking over the world. We have TV stations devoted to gaming, huge expo's, and many popular magazines and newspapers are now doing in-depth gaming reviews.

What I'm getting at here is the fact that gaming is becoming as popular, if not more so, than film, TV or books. The once shunned media is in its glory day. And we, as gamers, should all be damn proud of where our support and playtime has got us. It's because of us that WoW has so many players, it's because of us that indutries can even afford to make games. We should be proud of ourselves for bringing on a revolution in gaming. Shigeru Miyamoto, Hideo Kojima, etc. These guys are our heroes and, one day, will be househiold names.


Welcome to the Neo Golden Age my brothers


...and sisters


Next Time: Scott will write an article worth reading